The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has revealed that an Air Peace pilot and co-pilot tested positive for hard drugs and alcohol following a serious incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
This was disclosed in a preliminary report signed by Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB.
On Sunday, July 13, 2025, the Air Peace Boeing 737 aircraft, carrying 103 passengers, veered off the runway after landing from Lagos. The report stated that the plane had an unstabilised final approach and touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold, eventually coming to a stop 209 metres into the clearway.
Fortunately, no injuries were recorded, and all passengers and crew disembarked safely.
Runway incursions, often caused by miscommunication, faulty equipment, or poor runway conditions, now have pilot intoxication added to the list of potential causes, according to NSIB.
The bureau confirmed that the intoxication of the flight crew contributed to the incident, which has since raised serious concerns over aviation safety in the country.
